1 Coimeas air Taic do Phàrantan ann an Sgoiltean far a bheil Ionnsachadh tro Mhion-chànan Comparison of Support for Parents in Schools where Learning is through a Minority Language Report for Bòrd na Gàidhlig, November 2012 Executive Summary 1. In commissioning this research, Bòrd na Gàidhlig sought: examples of best practice in support for parents of children learning through a minority language, from preschool to high school; examples of best practice regarding support for parents in Gaelic-medium education; examples of best practice regarding parental support which could be adopted for the promotion and development of Gaelic-medium education. At the international level, information was sought in other minority language communities by email from individuals, from the Mercator minority language dossiers, and from books and journals in the University of Edinburgh Library. In addition academics and organisations concerned with minority language education and bilingual education were consulted, and data and reports sought on the internet. Response was slow: it also emerged that the topic has not received much consideration: this was confirmed by well-informed contacts. The search for ideas in this context was extended as far as possible within the timescale to include majority-language enclaves and bilingual education. Within Scotland, information was taken from officials with responsibility for Gaelic development in local authorities; from pre-school groups, primary and secondary schools; from branches of Comann nam Pàrant and school parent councils; from a tutor for the Gaelic4Parents Homework Help, and individual academics and personnel in language organisations. Communication was by means of telephone conversations, email and post. Desktop research was carried out on pre-school, primary and secondary inspection reports (from 2006 onwards), on school websites, Scottish Government and Education Scotland publications, and sundry documents. Redacted version for publication 2 2. Examples of best practice of support for parents – other minority language communities: Examples of best practice were found in the Basque, Catalan, Welsh and Irish communities, and in the French immersion education in Ontario. It has to be noted that in the language communities, and especially Basque and Catalan, there are demographic, political and financial advantages which render the immediate circumstances of the languages in the education systems dissimilar to that of Gaelic. Nevertheless, there is no reason why practices should not be examined for whatever practical application or adaptations may be possible. Good practice appeared to be evident in the following categories of support for parents in respect of the following minority language education systems: Parental involvement, support groups/forums, home-school links: Basque, Catalan, Welsh, and French language immersion in Ontario; Language learning: Basque, Catalan, Welsh, and Irish; Activities using the language: Basque and Welsh; Homework: Catalan and French language immersion in Ontario; Information and language promotion: Basque, Catalan and Welsh; Language ethos: Basque, Catalan and Welsh Redacted version for publication 3 3. Examples of best practice of support for parents – Gaelic-medium education The salient feature of the results of this aspect of the investigation was the differential provision of measures of support – the absence of uniformity even within individual council areas. The following suggest good practice: particular examples are given in the full report. For homework, apart from the universal citation the Gaelic4Parents Homework Help chatline: homework clubs, meetings, courses, classes, workshops, all drawing stronger often recommendation when provided with Gaelic-medium activities for children. Opportunities to learn Gaelic, apart from general advice, information about online and provision of take-home resources such as ‘Basic Gaelic for Parents’ and CDs, the recommendations were: Ùlpan classes (although often reckoned pitched beyond immediate parental needs); tuition of simple words and phrases; ‘word and action’ workshops; reading courses; family ‘Bookbug sessions; summer ‘Family Weeks’ which were especially praised. Gaelic-medium Activities, apart from Fèisean, Mòds, Sradagan and ‘family days’ – the summer ‘Family Weeks’. Promotion and information undertaken by the holders of posts such as the CnaG post of Gaelic-medium Promotion Coordinator in the Western Isles, (part-funded by CnES); the Comann nam Pàrant Parental Advisors scheme; Gaelic Community Development Officers in Highland Council; the Early Years Development Officer in Argyll and Bute. A Gaelic ethos evident in the promotion and encouragement of the use and learning of the language, through extra-curricular Gaelic-medium activities, participation in Mòds and Fèisean as well as its spoken and written prominence around the school and in school publications and online presentations. Local, communal support provided by branches of Comann nam Pàrant: in particular the branches in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Portree. Redacted version for publication 4 4. Examples of best practice regarding parental support which could be adopted for the promotion and development of Gaelic-medium education Amongst the evidence gathered, the following appear the most worthy of consideration. They comprise examples from other minority language education systems, and practice within Scotland which can be recommended for wider − if not universal – implementation. The implications of each are summarised in the main report. Language learning. The Welsh language courses ‘Welsh from the Cradle’ and ‘Welsh for the Family’ could be examined to see if something of similar design might be appropriate for introduction in the Gaelic context − it was a common observation that Ùlpan courses do not teach the register or vocabulary of Gaelic which is suitable for use with babies or young children. However, the Ùlpan courses were undoubtedly well-regarded for learning beyond that level, and in this context initiatives promoted by the Portree branch of Comann nam Pàrant initiatives appear useful: the Ùlpan training undertaken by S6 pupils at Portree High School, who subsequently taught classes in Skye, and the obtaining of discounted Ùlpan fees for Portree childminders. In respect of advice given to parents of children in Gaelic-medium education, the strategies for educational development in the home advocated to parents by Canadian Parents for French, to stimulate both the learning of French and bilingual literacy, might have some relevance. All the summer Family Weeks were praised enthusiastically and, were it to be apparent that further provision would receive applications, development of the facility would be worthwhile. Homework. In the short term, any additional means of support as listed under best practice in the Gaelic-medium context would be helpful, as suits particular circumstances, although, as with other means of support, more uniform measures of proven efficacy would be preferable. At present, a facility similar to the ‘Homework Toolbox’, designed and made available by Canadian Parents for French might be useful for older pupils. Information and promotion. In Wales, the Twf and Mudiad Meithrin Field Officers and the Mudiad Meithrin Development Officers give intense support to pre-school groups, from a very early age; this sort of work is developing in Scotland, and it is to be hoped that it could be expanded along the Welsh model. An aspect of this form of support which became apparent in the course of the investigation – not so much for good practice as for underuse of the facility – was the relative absence from school websites of links to the full range of information and advice available, and in particular specific encouragement of Gaelic-speaking parents to speak Gaelic at home. Gaelic-medium activities. This is another aspect of the summer ‘Family Weeks’ which won much praise. Redacted version for publication 5 5. Supplementary note: significant support needs observed by a minority of respondents The following points were raised by a few respondents: provision for children with additional support needs, and the uneven nature of the national provision of support such as tutors for classes, and personnel to set up and run pre-school groups, in areas where there is a primary school with Gaelic-medium education. Redacted version for publication 6 Comparison of Support for Parents in Schools where Learning is through a Minority Language 1.0 The purpose, scope and conduct of the investigation 1.1 In commissioning this investigation in February 2012, Bòrd na Gàidhlig sought an outcome with the following: 1. examples of best practice in support for parents of children learning through a minority language, from preschool to high school; 2. examples of best practice of support for parents in respect of Gaelic-medium education; 3. examples of best practice regarding parental support which could be adopted for the promotion and development of Gaelic-medium education. 1.2 The research comprised a survey in two parts. The first was at an international level, to obtain information on the needs and support for parents in the context of education through the medium of minority languages, and also a consideration of any relevant matter in literature on bilingual education. The second, within Scotland, reviewed the needs and the support currently available for parents of children in Gaelic-medium education. 1.3 The investigation commenced